Relish that Cranberry (for skin health)!

Vaccinium oxycoccos: Cranberry

Cranberries, a fruit that we think of only (or particularly) around the holiday season.  We think relish, cranberry sauce, cranberry scones, but rarely do we think, "Oh those lovely red fruits that are so healthy for us (and our skin)!" Native to northern North American and Southern Canada, these low lying, evergreen shrubs have been a staple for the indigenous people of this area for thousands of years.

Since it IS the season, the glory days of these shiny red fruits, let's delve in a little deeper and glean an understanding as to the health benefits that they tout. When talking about the "big gun's" of cranberries we are mainly talking about it's staggering amounts of vitamin C. Vitamin C is an anti-oxidant that helps your body (and skin) fight off free radicals.  Free radicals are a major cause of premature aging for our skin.  Also vitamin C helps reduce inflammation making it great for people who suffer from acnea, eczema, psoriasis and other itchy, red, signs of irritated skin.

Let's look at some of the other special qualities that cranberries have:

*Perfect ratio of omega 3, 6, and 9 fatty acids: meaning not only is our skin very willing to
   accept this oil as wonderful hydration, it also helps as a catalyst to bring other nutrients into our
   skin with ease.
*Anti-yeast and anti-fungal properties: great for a skin and scalp wash. Helps alleviate dandruff, itchy
   scalp and dull, limp, lifeless hair.
*High in tocotrienols and tocopherols: (vitamin E) another very powerful antioxidant, power fighter
   of free radical invasion to the largest organ in our body system (our skin).
*Vitamin C (already mentioned) is needed in the formation of hydroxyproline and hydroxylisine
   and other amino acids required to produce collagen. Collagen is what makes our skin, firm, healthy
   and wrinkle free.  This is what young vibrant skin has that aging skin lacks.

Cranberries, Seeds, and Oil

Now that we know what is in this potent holiday fruit,  how do we reap the benefits of cranberries?  There are a couple of different way to do this depending on what you are looking for. Drinking 1 ounce of pure (no sugar added) cranberry juice daily is said to have wonderful results for your body both internally and externally.  If you would like to target the skin however it is also recommended to either use the pulp of fresh berries (blended into a puree) and made into a masque, freshly juiced and applied to skin and hair, or in the form of cranberry seed oil.  The oil is deeply penetrating (due to the ratio of fatty acids mentioned above), where use of the actual berry is not only fun and festive but also gives antioxidants that the seed oil does not.

DIY CRANBERRY POWER MASQUE: 

1 tsp plain yogurt

1 tbs raw honey

1/4 c. cranberries

cranberry juice (no sugar added) to moisten as needed

take cranberries and put into blender and liquify. add raw honey and yogurt and continue to blend until a paste is made.  If liquid is needed cranberry juice is a great option, another option would be to add milk (as milk has many beneficial properties to skin as a cleanser as well)

Other add ins: 

Gelatin: add a few pinches of non flavored gelatin to very small amount of warmed milk or water. 

              gelatin will help loosen and slough off old, wary cells. great addition for non vegans to this

              masque. 

Clay: any of your favorite clays (french green, kaolin, etc) 1/4 tsp.

As always we would love to hear from you! Do you have product with cranberries in it? Let us know some of your favorites.  Happy Thanksgiving, give thanks and praise. 

Until next time, 

From us to You. 

Recherche Organics

What is Kukui Nut Oil?

Aleurites moluccans

Kukui; a stately tree, with origins in Asia, was introduced to Hawaii's fertile soil by sea faring polynesians hundreds of years ago.  Historically speaking, Kukui trees quickly became invaluable to the natives of Hawaii and revered by the islands chieftans known as the Ali'I.  The Ali'I wore leis of highly polished Kukui nuts showing their spiritual and social status. The oil rendered from the nuts of this tree (Kukui Nut Oil) was used to waterproof the boats and canoes of these sea faring peoples.  In the late 1800's this oil also became highly reviered in a "surf building ritual" and would be used to oil down the surf boards prior to putting them into the water.  But the Pacific Islanders also loved this oil for it's benefits for the skin, hair, and body. It was consider the oil of choice by the Ali'I , who were massaged, sometimes for hours at a time, with Kukui nut oil.

Kukui Nut

This oil in recent years has begun to make a name for it's self outside of the Hawaiian Island chain. Kukui nut oil is used to moisturize and protect the skin from the external environment. Sun, saltwater,  and wind are no match for the moisturizing ability of this fine oil.  It works great in reducing the inflammation of sun burn as well as other types of burns.  Currently Kukui nut oil is being tested in Hawaiian hospitals to see how well it helps reduce to symptoms related to radiation and chemo burns.

This oil is known for leaving the skin soft and supple.  By nature it is non greasy making application easy and mess free. It contains skin protecting vitamins such as A, C, and E who's antioxidant properties are known to help fight free radicles.  Also containing essential fatty acids (EFA's) linoleic and linolenic acids. Essential fatty acids keep the skin looking youthful.  Young skin is full of plump water filled cells.  As we age our skin looses it's ability to retain water causing sagging, dull, and "crepe" skin.  A healthy skin cell has a healthy membrane, keeping the good things such as water and nutrients in and allowing the cell waste to leave the cell.  And low and behold essential fatty acids are what make for a healthy cell membrane, hence a healthy, vibrant skin cell.

Kukui Nut Oil

Dried Kukui Nuts

 Uses of Kukui Nut Oil:
*Hair and Scalp treatments
*Babies Skin
*Reducing Dry Skin
*Reducing Dandruff
*Minor Burns, Cuts, Wounds
*Exposure to elements
*Radiation/Cheomo burns


This oil needs to be expeller pressed at cool temperatures to maintain the quality and health giving properties.  As always make certain the the oils you choose come from reputable sources.

We would love to hear about your experience with Kukui Nut Oil!  Please like, comment, and share to insure that we are able to keep presenting you with quality information.

Thank you and until next time,
Recherche Organics